Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Pelosi Faces Pushback From Biden, Dems In Effort To Tackle Drug Prices
The Hill: Pelosi Pushes For Drug Pricing Measure Amid Uncertainty From White House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is pushing for the inclusion of a measure to lower drug prices in President Biden's forthcoming American Families Plan, amid indications that the White House will not include it. Advocates and Democratic lawmakers are increasingly concerned that health care measures, including lowering drug prices and expanding health coverage, are being left out of Biden's spending package, which is coming next week and is expected to include measures like paid leave and child care. (Sullivan, 4/22)
Modern Healthcare: House Democrats Back Medicare Drug Price Negotiations In Infrastructure Talks
House Democrats introduced a bill Thursday that would allow the federal government to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices on drugs covered by Medicare, a long-held goal for the party that has its best chance in passing Congress in years. Still, substantial drug pricing reform appears to be an uphill battle with Democrats' narrow majorities in the House and Senate, mixed signals on whether President Joe Biden is ready to back such legislation this year and lobbying by the powerful pharmaceutical industry. (Hellmann, 4/22)
Also —
Modern Healthcare: Most Broker Sites Advertise Less Than 50% Of Medicare Plans
Just 43% of available Medicare Advantage products, and 65% of Part D plans, were showcased on broker plan selection tools, according to a report released by The Commonwealth Fund on Thursday. Additionally, when researchers searched online for health coverage options, they found that web results primarily showcased information directly from health plans — not from neutral government, or third-party, sources. After looking through multiple large brokerage sites, researchers found one page that included information about Medigap plans, and only 18% of those available benefits were showcased. (Tepper, 4/22)
Modern Healthcare: Premier Asks CMS To Give ACOs More Time To Prep For New MSSP Quality Reporting Requirements
Accountable care organizations need more time to adjust to new quality reporting requirements for the Medicare Shared Savings Program set to take effect in 2022, group purchasing and consulting organization Premier told CMS in a letter last week. The organization, which serves about 4,100 hospitals and health systems, said the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for providers to devote the time and resources necessary to make the required changes. (Brady, 4/22)
